17 replies
I decided to give article marketing a try. The other night I wrote my first How-To article. I optimized it with a long tail keyword relating to the subject, so I can get on the first page of google for that keyword phrase. Then I started writing a review, so that I could post it on a blog with my affiliate links to the product. This is how article marketing is supposed to work, I guess.

The problem started with the article. Although I'm knowledgeable on the topic, I was writing it with the idea that it had to be optimized with the keywords so I could get a good position on the search. It took me 2 ½ hours to write a 600 word article, including the bio box. I felt self conscious & blocked while writing it.

Then I started to write the review for the product, and bought a WSO on how to write reviews in ½ hour even if you've never used the product. The instruction were to do some research, collect data that was already out there on the web, including testimonials, and put that together. Again, what I wrote felt contrived, and I had this unpleasant heavy feeling in my back the whole time. It took me 2 hours to put it together.

I love the idea of creating a passive or semi-passive income on-line. However, it's hard for me to write an article when the underlying motive is leading people to a sales page or opt-in page. Because I hate being on mailing lists or being sold, I can't do it.

Is there a way to do this successfully without contrived procedures or trying to create mailing lists, and that is not based on the competitive mindset? Does anyone have a successful internet business without a mailing list?

Thanks in advance for any feedback..

t
#block #energy
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Yes, there's a way. First step is to stop buying products that tell you do copy others or that you can "git'er done" in 5 minutes or less.

    Learn a bit about the topic and make notes (in your own words) about important points to cover. Then open word or notepad and write your own articles. Start with one point you want to cover in the article and then expand on that.

    Doesn't need to be 600 words - can be 350 or anywhere in between. Use the keyword once in the first paragraph, once in the last paragrah - and in the title. Except for that write as if you are telling someone about this.

    It's much harder to follow a bunch of "how to's" (especially if they give they kind of info you mention above) than it is to just do your own work from the start. Write something YOU would want to read instead of trying to follow someone's else's "method".

    Don't worry about trying to do everything at once. Write a couple of articles and submit them - and then move on to the next thing on your list.

    And get over the idea that there is something shameful about "selling". If you are selling something a person needs and is looking for - you are doing them a service.

    kay
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Nehs
    Don't go for perfection because it will never be perfect anyway.

    As stated above, expound on one point. You probably made several good points in your article. Maybe next time that could have been 3 or 4 articles.
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    All the Best, Mark Nehs

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  • Profile picture of the author Norma Holt
    My articles are from the heart about a subject I know well. The words just flow and I can write many around the same theme. I don't worry about key words as much as the article being of good quality and easy to read. The main keywords are always in the first and second paragraph and repeated several times throughout the article. But I think you can exhaust yourself by trying to become a perfectionist overnight.

    Stop buying products on how to write because your work needs to be unique and you must develop your own style. It doesn't matter that it does not conform to the way other do it. What matters is that you get pleasure from it and don't burn out.
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  • Profile picture of the author bigsurf
    Thank you all for your replies.

    I still would like to know, is it possible to succeed at IM without building a mailing list?
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  • Profile picture of the author Thomas
    Originally Posted by bigsurf View Post

    ...I felt self conscious & blocked while writing it.

    ... and I had this unpleasant heavy feeling in my back the whole time.
    Tap on it!

    EFT Provides Impressive Health and Emotional Freedom--New Discovery Often Works Where Nothing Else
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  • Profile picture of the author Joshua N. Rabon
    Yes, you need a list, but what you seem to need most is shake your blocks to selling.

    Maybe you've been on lists created by people who only focus on selling. It doesn't have to be that way.

    Decide to create a list that gives value and serves the people on the list. Look for top notch products that your a fan of. Create reviews that convey your enthusiasm for the products.

    Get into a server mindset and see your subscribers as clients that you educate and protect.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin Flask
      I have felt, and still feel somewhat the same way.

      To add to Kay's point:

      "And get over the idea that there is something shameful about "selling". If you are selling something a person needs and is looking for - you are doing them a service."

      People are searching for the information you provide for a reason(s). Help them by pointing them in the direction to a product or service that would solve their need(s). The shorter the route I think the better.

      In regards to keywords:

      Again like Kay suggests, use your keywords and phrases not too often. I would suggest using themed words and phrases. Themed words are those that are similar or are often found together.

      An example: Keyword fishing
      Themed words: bait, lures, rods, reels etc.

      I have found some of my articles rank better for themed words and phrases than the ones I optimized for. Might be do to the level of competition.

      For list building, I have a hard time with this myself. I would prefer, and would like to build a business on, building relationships where there is a continual need to learn and grow.
      Such as personal development, education, building businesses. There is always a need to know and learn more.

      All the best,

      Kevin
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  • Profile picture of the author frankm
    You sound like you're ashamed of recommending the product... otherwise you'd have no problem writing a glowing report about it and telling other people about it.

    If you were that passionate about what you were recommending you would go over the top, and maybe even write a big free report about something related to the product. Then you're providing real value instead of writing a contrived article.

    And about the mailing list... if you're really passionate about something you will want to know more about that topic than anyone out there. Once you get to that point, you actually have an obligation to share what you know with others interested in the same thing, so building the list won't be a problem.

    Cheers

    Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author spressnell
    Great advice here. Thanks.

    Shirley
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  • Profile picture of the author Glenny61
    I agree with Thomas.

    Approaching this from a technical perspective will not help or help minimally at best.

    You described specifically what's stopping you....

    ...I felt self conscious & blocked while writing it.

    ... and I had this unpleasant heavy feeling in my back the whole time.

    For whatever reason it occured that physiological effect (the actual feeling not the emotional label you give it) is what's stopping you. If you use EFT to eliminate the feelings you are talking about here (especially the heavy back feeling) there wont be anything stopping you.
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  • BIGSURF--

    Your concern is that you are not sincerly 'ADDING VALUE' to the lives of the people who will be reading your work.

    Concern yourself no longer over the matter, because that is GOOD NEWS.

    The reason it is good news is that you in particular just happen to be the kind of person who really does want your work to have meaning and value for someone, rather than to simply follow some article marketing scheme by rote.

    Capitalize on that high, unique personal standard. Make 'ADDING VALUE' and 'CONTRIBUTING' to others your FIRST PRIORITY. Let THAT guide your article writing, knowing that THE NECESSARY, IMPORTANT WORDS WILL FLOW FROM THAT.

    Keep your eye on your INTENTION TO HELP OTHERS, and combine it with the terms that will be of benefit in helping them find both your article and its subject.

    Everything will fall into place, and you'll sleep soundly at night on softer pillows paid for by the ever-increasing money eagerly sent your way by grateful people.
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  • Profile picture of the author DirectoryKing
    Yes, it quite possible. One of the best ways is to be an internet broker. It is actually quite easy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vincelog
    Hi Big surf,

    If you are a user of the product and you truly think that it is a good product and well worth recommending, then your problem will be solved. This will shift your focus to something positive (wanting to share good stuff with others) instead of something negative.

    Vincent
    Personal Development Blogger
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  • Profile picture of the author Nahar
    Don't get discouraged. In a few weeks or days you will laugh every time you remember how long it took you to do this or that. A few months ago it took me a week to set up a blog with 5 good quality articles, etc. It now takes me 2 hours at the most. But I had to do it a few times.

    I agree with Dynamic. Just the fact that you don't feel good about selling something that you are not sure about shows you are an honest person. If you manage to show it to your potential customers, they will trust you and buy from you.
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  • Profile picture of the author D89
    If you are not feeling very good about the process of selling this will translate in your writing and people wont be interested in your offer.

    If its hard for you to write an article just rewrite any of the other articles you find on an article site. That will remove you from having to invest all your feelings when creating an article from scratch.

    There are two types of people in the world, those who sell and those who buy. I prefer to sell.
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